Homecoming 2008: The Road to the Swamp

This year’s UF Homecoming theme is The Road to the Swamp. As part of our Homecoming celebration we’re going to share information about members of our D.M.D. program – for instance, what was their own road to the swamp? Debuting the new profile is Class of 2011’s Jere Gillan.

Why did you come to the University of Florida for dental school?Besides the fact that UF is a great school, I came for the tradition and for the legacy. I wouldn’t get that from any other dental school in Florida.

What were you doing before coming to D.M.D. school?I was in the Air Force for 11 years. Seven active duty and the rest was Reserve time. I was very involved in both Operation(s) Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. I was an Aircraft Loadmaster and have been to Afghanistan and Iraq countless times, and was actually mortared on the Airfield in Baghdad.

What are your plans after graduation?I would like to move back to Orlando and also finish my career in the Air Force Reserves as a dentist.

What’s your most favorite part of dental school?I really have loved the operative courses thus far.